Interviews Flashcards
What is a interview?
The interview is an example of interpersonal, two-way communication and is commonly used in the business and professional world. Thus, it is communication that serves a particular purpose and is therefore subject to a particular time and place. The purpose of the interview is to secure the job.
Interviews are a specific type of conversation between two or more people, with the sole intention of giving, receiving and exchanging information relating to a specific topic. This is to determine whether the applicant is the most suitable person for the post, and if the applicant feels comfortable about the post. Both will form an opinion and will come to an agreement
What is the responsibility of a interviewee?
As the interviewee, you must focus on verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as on ensuring that you are aware of the questions that might be asked. You should prepare questions that you are entitled to ask. The interviewer will have appraised your CV and will have a written job description and a list of questions for you.
What is the responsibility of a interviewer?
To make the interview successful, preparation is necessary. Have an agenda to keep the interview on track and make sure that it does not run too long. A list of questions and a complete job description must be drawn up. It is important for the interviewer to determine the right qualifications, experience and personality type that would be best for the job. Should the person be quiet and serious, or would an extrovert be more suitable? The interviewer must also have a good knowledge of the company, the position and the people in the company, to answer the applicant’s questions.
The interviewer must avoid a chatty interview style. The interview must be handled in a professional manner with a specific aim. The interviewer must adopt a positive attitude and not attempt to intimidate the interviewee. The interviewer must also have good listening skills. A final decision should not be made after the first few minutes of an interview, as this is often based on appearance and personal prejudice. Compare all of the candidates and carefully match the job with the person.
The interviewer must ask the right questions to enable the applicant to demonstrate his/her abilities and expand on the information in the CV. Questions must also be based on the information in the CV to show that the interviewer has read the CV. Furthermore, the applicant must be given a clear indication of the requirements of the post, for example, whether overtime work or a lot of travelling is required. Avoid ‘small ‘talk’.
After the interview, the interviewer is in a better position to determine whether the applicant is suitable for the job. The decision is based on ability, strengths, weaknesses, experience, qualifications, achievements and personality.
What is an interviewer?
The interviewer is the person conducting the interview. He/she has prepared and will ask questions. The interviewer may be the personnel officer or the person recruiting for a department.
An interview gives the interviewer the opportunity to evaluate candidates and discover their abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Based on this information, the interviewer will determine the applicant’s suitability. Suitability is not always based on qualifications and experience, but also on how the applicant will fit in with the rest of the department, the applicant’s personality, willingness to work hard, and the skills he/she offers to the company.
What is an interviewee?
The interviewee is the person applying for the position and has been invited for an interview.
The interviewee is given the opportunity to find out more about the position, the company, remuneration, prospects and the people who he/she will be working with. Based on this information, the interviewee will decide whether the post is suitable.
What are the two types of preparation for a interview?
Verbal preparation
Non-verbal preparation
What is verbal preparation?
Before the interview, find out whatever you can about the company. This will give you confidence and it will impress the interviewer that you have shown an interest in the company beyond the job. Journals, magazines, in-house magazines, newspaper articles, the Internet and/or a simple telephone call to the company will give you the information you require.
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask about the company, the position and the people with whom you will be working.
Some questions you need answers to are:
Please explain the duties of the job to me.
To whom will I be reporting?
With whom will I be working?
How big is the department?
Is it a new post?
Is there anything particularly demanding about the job?
What results are expected of me? What targets/budgets must I meet?
When is the post available?
What is the potential for promotion?
What remuneration package is being offered?
What are the company benefits? (Medical aid/pension/provident fund/leave/bonuses, etc.)
The interviewee must also be prepared for questions that most interviewers ask. Answers must be prepared for these questions:
Why are you interested in this particular post?
Why did you resign from your previous post?
Why do you wish to leave your current job?
What do you think is your best quality?
What is your greatest weakness?
What are your short/medium/long-term plans?
Tell me about your present job; what duties do you perform?
Would you work for a lower salary?
What is non-verbal preparation?
To enhance your confidence, prepare yourself mentally. You have covered the preparation for the verbal side of the interview, now consider your non-verbal communication:
Carefully plan what you will wear. Remember that you have 30 seconds to make an impression. Choose the right colour and style of clothing.
Make sure that you arrive at least ten minutes early for the interview.
Maintain eye contact, but do not glare at the interviewer.
Speak confidently and pronounce your words clearly.
Use the correct tone, register and language.
Try to avoid too many flamboyant gestures.
Control your facial expressions.
Make sure you are listening.
What is the difference between perks and benefits according to Susan?
The word, perk or perks, is a short form of the word perquisite, which means incentive, a bonus or extras. In use in business, the term perks has come to mean extras above and beyond the normal comprehensive benefits package. Benefits are far more reliable than perks, and cover more basic needs.
What do potential employers look at on a CV?
Length of employment in each job
Gaps in employment record
Reason for leaving each job
References – to find out if the CV is authentic
Verification of courses attended
Verification of position held
The educational background of the applicant and how it fits the post available
Whether there is any conflicting information in the CV
What questions will the interviewer prepare to gather further information on?
Educational training and background
Present and previous work experience
Future plans and aspirations
Strengths and weaknesses
Likes and dislikes
Leadership qualities
Organising ability
Preference for teamwork or individual tasks
Self-motivation
Career choice
Challenges
Achievements
Areas of conflict
Salary expectations
The interviewer will make notes of the interviewee’s answers. After completing the interview process, the interviewer will then be able to appoint the best candidate.
